Validating the use of three-dimensional ultrasound to detect partial flexor tendon lacerations

Randa Mudathir; Megan Hutter; Rabeeh Fares; Emily Lalone; Aaron Fenster; Assaf Kadar

doi:10.1117/12.3006956

1 April 2024 Validating the use of three-dimensional ultrasound to detect partial flexor tendon lacerations

Randa Mudathir, Megan Hutter, Rabeeh Fares, Emily Lalone, Aaron Fenster, Assaf Kadar

Proceedings Volume 12932, Medical Imaging 2024: Ultrasonic Imaging and Tomography; 1293206 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3006956
Event: SPIE Medical Imaging, 2024, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Partial flexor tendon tears are common, but their diagnosis presents a few challenges. The degree of a partial flexor tendon tear necessitating surgical intervention remains under debate. This is primarily due to the lack of a sensitive and accessible imaging modality to assess the depth of a tendon laceration. We suggest the use of three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) to provide a more accurate grading of partial flexor tendon tears by providing surgeons with a decision-making tool to identify when surgical intervention is necessary. As a proof of concept, we dissected 6 digits from 2 fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens. Each digit was imaged using 3DUS and MRI to determine if the tendons and tendon lacerations are identifiable in the 3DUS images. This will be performed in preparation for a larger trial where each digit will be randomly assigned to an intact, low-grade laceration, or high-grade laceration group. 3DUS images were collected from each digit. MR images were also collected from each digit to compare the sensitivity of each imaging modality. Further analysis of the images will require a trained radiologist to grade the lacerations in each image, while being blinded to the actual grade of each laceration and comparing the radiologist’s grading of each image to each laceration’s actual grading to assess the sensitivity of 3DUS and MR in detecting partial tendon lacerations. We anticipate that 3DUS imaging to be comparable to MR imaging in detecting partial tendon tears. Future work includes applying load to the affected fingers to investigate whether that will improve partial tendon laceration detection. This work expands on the applications of 3DUS in musculoskeletal imaging and provides clinicians with an accessible tool to accurately detect and grade partial tendon lacerations.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Randa Mudathir, Megan Hutter, Rabeeh Fares, Emily Lalone, Aaron Fenster, and Assaf Kadar "Validating the use of three-dimensional ultrasound to detect partial flexor tendon lacerations", Proc. SPIE 12932, Medical Imaging 2024: Ultrasonic Imaging and Tomography, 1293206 (1 April 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3006956

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